Oral Supplementation of Hydrangea serrata Leaves Improves Skin Texture and Hydration

by | Apr 25, 2022 | 2020, Botanicals, Skin Health

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. Once daily supplementation of the hot water extract of Hydrangea serrata leaves (WHS), at either a 300 mg or 600 mg dose, significantly reduced skin wrinkles and increased skin hydration after 12 weeks compared to placebo. 

close-up of woman's eyeThe skin is the largest organ in the human body and is constantly exposed to both intrinsic and extrinsic aging factors due to environmental exposures 1. Intrinsic factors include diet and exercise, while extrinsic factors include exposure to ultraviolet radiation, cold, and harsh conditions 2. Chronic stress to the skin leads to distinct structural changes, including loss of elasticity and formation of wrinkles 3. Furthermore, skin aging due to photoaging and glycation stress can diminish skin integrity through collagen degradation by inducing oxidative stress and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) 4.

Various plant compounds, such as those found in the leaves of Hydrangea serrata (WHS), offer potential protective properties to decrease the rate of skin aging. Hydrangenol, a naturally occurring dihydroisocoumarin actively present in WHS, has been used for centuries for its robust anti-inflammatory abilities 5. Previous research has confirmed the use of hydrangenol as a potent ingredient that helps reduce cell viability and degradation of pro-collagen Type I 6. Additionally, this medicinal plant can significantly enhance hydration factors of the skin, such as hyaluronic acid which is crucial for maintaining healthy skin barriers 7.

To better understand the skin-promoting properties of H. serrata, Myung et. al conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to explore the effects of WHS supplementation on overall skin integrity. Study participants (n=151, aged 35-60 years) were randomly assigned to either WHS 300 mg group (n=50), WHS 600 mg group (n=50), or placebo group (n=51) for the full 12 weeks of the trial. Skin wrinkles were assessed via visual assessment using Mark-Vu by dermatologists and through examination of crow’s-feet conducted by a dermatologist using a double-blind method. Instrumental analysis of skin-replica images was achieved using a Skin Visiometer SV 700 that evaluates skin-wrinkle parameters. A Corneometer and Tewamater TM 300 was used to measure hydration levels of the skin while a Cutometer MPA 580 was used to evaluate skin elasticity. Participants partook in safety tests at visit 1 (week 0) and visit 5 (week 12) to obtain blood tests, urine tests, and vital-sign measurements. After 12 weeks of oral supplementation of WHS, the results are as follows:

  • Significant changes of statistics values of crow’s feet formation were noted in both the WHS 300 mg group (-0.44 ±50 (Lt) and -0.48 ± 0.50 (Rt)) and in the WHS 600 mg group (-0.49 ± 0.54 (Lt) and -0.57 ± 0.61 (Rt)) compared to placebo.
  • When measuring skin roughness parameters, 12-week supplementation of 300 mg WHS resulted in baseline value changes of -0.06 ±06 (Lt) and -0.07 ± 0.05 (Rt), while changes in the 600 mg WHS group were -0.06 ± 0.05 (Lt) and -0.05 ± 0.05 (Rt).
  • Changes in skin moisture levels after 12 weeks in the WHS 300 mg group was 2.78 ±48 AU (Lt) and 3.20 ± 3.01 AU (Rt) and in the 600 mg group it was 2.87 ± 2.53 AU (Lt) and 3.81 ± 3.88 AU (Rt). Placebo changes were 0.61 ± 2.52 AU (Lt) and 1.21 ± 2.95 AU (Rt).
  • When comparing changes in skin moisture levels to the placebo group, significant changes in skin hydration were noted in both the 300 mg and 600 mg WHS groups (p < 0.001).
  • Compared to placebo, both WHS doses resulted in significantly lower changes in skin texture (p < 0.001) and skin roughness (p < 0.001).

Findings of the study prove the effect of H. serrata supplementation on improving overall skin texture, roughness, and hydration. The robust anti-photoaging and anti-inflammatory properties of this plant should continue to be researched in further dosage and length of experiment to learn more about its anti-aging potential.

Source: Myung, Da-Bin, Jeong-Hun Lee, Hee-Soo Han, Kwang-Young Lee, Hye Shin Ahn, Yu-Kyong Shin, Eunjung Song et al. “Oral intake of hydrangea serrata (Thunb.) ser. leaves extract improves wrinkles, hydration, elasticity, texture, and roughness in human skin: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.” Nutrients 12, no. 6 (2020): 1588.

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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Posted April 25, 2022.

Taylor Woosley studied biology at Purdue University before becoming a 2016 graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a major in Writing. She currently resides in Glen Ellyn, IL.

References:

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